Book 43 - Joanna Russ "We Who Are About To.."

Joanna Russ "We Who Are About To.." (Penguin)







This is one of those rare science fiction novellas that really make you think about right and wrong, the world around you, and what it means to be human.

Russ gives us a story about a small group of space travelers stranded on an uninhabited planet, a story that initially feels like a familiar "Robinson Crusoe in Space" tale, but very quickly proceeds to crush irretrievably each and every trope we’ve come to expect from this subgenre.

This novel can certainly stand as feminist scifi, a rejection of the all too typical “when the going gets rough, the men should be men and the women should revert to their natural role” premise. But I think it has much more to say than that: an effective indictment of the tyranny of the majority, an argument against group think, a rejection of the swaggering leader who says to the entire world “either you agree with us, or you are against us.”

Feminist concerns drive Russ' story, in a quite nuanced rather than politically correct way. I'm still not sure whether Russ intends us to sympathize with and defend the narrator, experience her choices as a cathartic tragedy, or simply view her as unhinged from relatively early on. That is part of the enjoyment though : it leaves you pondering well after you have read it.

We Who Are About To... is a fairly quick read, but it is by no means an easy read.

Good Morning

Annoyed bird -  "Eh,what do you think you are doing?"

And So ....To Khruangbin

Just a couple of visits done today ,one in Sittingbourne and the other in Tunbridge Wells.The wearher became really sunny and warm again after such a cool start and i was glad to be in T shirt and shorts.

In fact,the other day when i was posting an item off at my local post office,the woman who supervises the self service machines (and of Carribean descent) asked i i been on holiday abroard as my tan was so gorgeous.I said that i hadn't, just plain ole England i said.

So here i am to look after Saxby the cat whilst GC is on the Isle of Wight seeing the Killers and Depeche Mode plus others. Give me Khruangbin any day!

Khruangbin Boiler Room London Live Set

Taking influence from 1960's Thai funk - their name literally translates to 'Engine Fly'; in Thai - Khruangbin s debut album The Universe Smiles Upon You is steeped in the bass heavy, psychedelic sound of their inspiration, Tarantino soundtracks and surf-rock cool.

The Texan trio is formed of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald DJ Johnson on drums.

The Friday Five

Does your pet bring you things it has 'captured' just for you?

When is the last time you backed up your computer?

If you love pasta, what's your favourite way to have it?

If you love pizza, what is your 'must have' topping?

If you love cheese, what's your favourite way to eat it?

Good Night